HOUSEWIFE Nora Fizah Mohd Ali, 35, is looking forward to a happier Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year, and the aid she received from Liga Muslim Pulau Pinang has lightened her burden as well.
She is keen to bring along her daughter Siti Nur Ayra Mohd Najib, seven, who has a medical condition known as microcephaly, when she visits relatives during Hari Raya.
“Siti Nur Ayra has not gone anywhere for two years due to the pandemic.
“Since she also suffers from a swollen kidney and hole in the heart, we did not want to risk her health by travelling.
“We’ve had very quiet Hari Raya celebrations these past two years, so this year we are looking forward to visiting my siblings on mainland Penang,” said Nora Fizah after receiving the Hari Raya aid at Dewan Sri Pinang in George Town.
“I spend about RM700 each month on special milk and diapers for Siti Nur Ayra,” added Nora Fizah, who has three other children.
Another mother, Nor Haffizah Haniffa, 40, who brought along her daughters Nur Natirah Sintha, 18, and Nur Nazrina, 15, to receive the aid, said both girls suffer from Cornelia de Lange Syndrome.
“I have been receiving this aid for 13 years and it has helped me care for my daughters,” said the housewife who has five children.
Her husband earns RM1,200 per month as a cleaner and they find it hard to make ends meet, especially during the Raya season.
Organising chairman and the league’s deputy president Datuk Dr Shahul Hameed Syed Mohamed hoped the aid would reduce the burden of poor families in Penang.
“A total of RM100,000 was raised for distribution to 800 recipients in the state,” he said in his speech.
Besides the cash aid, 15 wheelchairs were also presented.
Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak graced the event and presented RM5,000 under the TYT Charity Founda-tion.
Bank Pertama Malaysia Bhd’s co-op corporation chairman Datuk Baharom Embi presented RM5,000 as well.
Also present were state agrotechnology and food safety, rural development and health committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin and Liga Muslim Pulau Pinang president Datuk Haja Najmudeen Kader.